Explaining Scotland Suggested things to do Wildlife and nature

Salmon has been associated with Scotland for many a year, both for fishing and for eating. It is world renowned as a quality product, despite the problems which have occasionally been associated with the salmon farming industry. Farmed salmon is really the only option now. Gone are the days when apprentices had it written into their contracts that they weren’t allowed to eat salmon more than 6 days a week!

Smoked salmon recipes

Fresh Salmon recipes

This is one of our favourites when we’re feeling generous – a very Scottish mix of salmon and whisky.

Salmon in whisky sauce

125g unsalted butter

1 carrot

1 stick of celery

4 salmon fillets

2 tbs olive oil

2 tbs whisky

4 tbs single cream

salt and pepper

spinach to serve

Melt 25g of butter in a small pan. Add carrot and celery and cook for 10 – 15 mins.

Dry salmon fillets then rub with oil & season on both sides.

Heat oil until hot then add salmon fillets (skin first, if they have the skin on). Cook for 6 – 8 mins each side. Longer if they are thick fillets.

Add the whisky to the vegetables and boil for 1 – 2 mins to reduce liquid by half.

Add cream and remaining butter until sauce is thick and rich looking.

NB We have also seen Salmon jerky for sale in limited stockists, but have yet to try for ourselves. For the moment, we’ll reserve judgement but we’ll let you know when we’ve managed to get hold of some to try.

Points of interest for salmon enthusiasts

Salmon leaps in or near the Cairngorms National Park – Pitlochry and Rogie Falls are the salmon leaps we know the most about. We have seen salmon leaping at Rogie Falls. We took photos, but it wan’t easy to see on the camera.

Fishing – we’re not experts on the fishing opportunities here in the Cairngorms but both the River Spey and the River Dee are world renowned for salmon fishing. However, don’t expect to take your catch home with you, unless you catch a rogue farmed salmon.